Post on 10-Apr-2018
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www.wvdnr.gov
HUNTINGand TRAPPINGJuly 2010 June 2011 Regulations Summary
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Numerous hunters and outdoor enthusiasts have expressed concerns relating to howwildlife populations fared this past winter. West Virginia experienced below normaltemperatures and significant snow levels. To compound severe winter conditions, mastsupplies in 2009, on a statewide basis, were at their lowest levels since mast surveys
were initiated by the West Virginia DNR in 1970. As a result, wildlife populations wereimpacted to various degrees.
Of all the game species, squirrels are most dependent upon hard mast conditions. Pooroak and hickory crops have a negative impact on winter survival and the production of
young during the following spring and summer. As a result, hunters should anticipatelower bushytail numbers this fall.
Wild turkey appear to have fared the winter in relatively good condition as indicated bythe increase in the spring gobbler harvest. Black bears, with their ability to sleep during
winter months, also came through the winter in relatively good numbers.
Wildlife Resources Section personnel received scattered reports on deer winter mortalities, especially from the northern and central counties,and the eastern mountain sections of the state. Like many wildlife species, deer are resilient animals and have natural biological mechanismsto keep populations in balance w ith their habitat.
Wildlife populations are dynamic in nature with numbers fluctuating based upon numerous factors that include weather conditions andavailable food supplies. Over the years, we have experienced poor mast conditions and severe winters which are balanced by mild wintersand good mast conditions. Wildlife Biologists will continue to monitor populations and adjust hunting seasons accordingly to ensure sound
wildlife populations, and that hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts continue to have ample and quality opportunities to enjoy our stateswildlife resources.
As always, be safe, be ethical, and be sound stewards of the land and our wildl ife resources.
Frank Jezioro, Director, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
DISTRICT OFFICES
Main Oice - South Charleston, WV 25303324 4th Avenue
Wildlie Management Paul Johansen (304) 558-2771Law Enorcement Lt. Col. Jerry Jenkins (304) 558-2784
District 1 - Farmington, WV 265711110 Railroad Street (304) 825-6787
Wildlie Management Steve RauchLaw Enorcement Capt. Lou DellaMea
District 2 - Romney, WV 267571 Depot Street (304) 822-3551
Wildlie Management Rich Rogers
Law Enorcement Capt. Charles Schollar
District 3WV State Wildlie Center
P.O. Box 38 French Creek, WV 26218
Wildlie Management Rob Silvester (304) 924-6211
Law Enorcement Capt. Micheal Waugh (304) 637-0245
P.O. Box 67 Elkins, WV 26241
District 4 - Beckley, WV 258012006 Robert C. Byrd Drive (304) 256-6947
Wildlie Management Todd DowdyLaw Enorcement Capt. Kaven Ransom
District 5McClintic WMA
1163 Wildlife Road Pt. Pleasant, WV 25550Wildlie Management Gary Sharp (304) 675-0871
Law Enorcement Capt. Steve Stewart (304) 759-0703
4300 1st Ave. Nitro, WV 25143
District 6 - Parkersburg, WV 261012311 Ohio Avenue (304) 420-4550
Wildlie Management Jef McCradyLaw Enorcement Capt. Chip Shaver
Operations Center - Elkins, WV 26241Ward Road, P.O. Box 67
Wildlie Management Gary Foster (304) 637-0245
Cover photo: Steve Shaluta,
WV Dept. of Commerce
Inset cover photo: Tammy Shuff
FrankJezio
ro
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hunting and Trapping Seasons, Dates and Limits ..................2
General Hunting and Trapping Regulations............................ 3
Reporting Hunting Violations ..........................................................................................................7
Deer Hunting Regulations ........................................................ 9
White-tailed Deer Hunting Seasons Tables ..............................................................................12
Antlerless Season ................................................................................................................................18
Archery Seasons .................................................................................................................................. 21
Buck Season ..........................................................................................................................................24
Muzzleloader Seasons ......................................................................................................................26
Special Split Youth and Class Q/QQ Season .............................................................................29
Chronic Wasting Disease Questions and Answers.............. 31
Turkey Hunting Regulations ................................................... 322010 Fall and 2011 Spring Seasons ...............................................................................................33
Public Lands - Wildlie Management Areas, State Forestsand National Forests ...............................................................34
Bear Hunting Regulations ....................................................... 36
Archery Season ....................................................................................................................................38
Firearms Season ..................................................................................................................................39
Boar Hunting Regulations .......................................................40
License Inormation and Fees ................................................. 41
SuMMaRy OF CHangES 2010-2011
All private land in counties having a f irearms antlerless deer season (Class N or NN) will be open November1.
22 December 11 and December 29-31. All public lands having an antlerless deer season will be open
November 24 December 11 and December 29-31. Bag limits vary among counties but will be either one,
two or our antlerless deer. See pages 12-18.
Fall wild turkey hunting season has been expanded in 2010 with 13 counties open October 23-30; 122.
counties open October 23 - November 6; and 14 counties open October 23 - November 20. See page 33.
Black bear hunting seasons have been expanded in 2010 with 10 counties open September 27-29; nine3.
counties open September 27 October 2; 10 counties open November 22 December 4 during the Buck
Season, and all 55 counties open December 6-31. The daily bag limit is one bear per day with a season bag
limit of two bears, provided at least one bear comes from Boone, Fayette, Kanawha or Raleigh counties.See pages 38-39.
There will be a special controlled black bear hunting season with dogs December 6-31, 2010, on Nathaniel4.
Mountain and Short Mountain Wildlie Management Areas. Prior application is required. See page 39.
A statewide Youth Small Game Season will be held on October 2, 2010 open to youth age 17 or less for all5.
small game species. See page 30.
The participation age for the Youth Hunting Seasons (small game, antlerless deer, and spring turkey) has6.
been increased from less than 15 to less than 18 years of age. All licensing requirements remain in effect for
ages 15-17. See pages 29-30 and 33.
New replacement costs, based on antler size, have been established for illegally injured or killed antlered7.
deer. See page 9.
Conservation Officers, of the Law Enforcement Section, are now renamed Natural Resource Police.8.
Joe Manchin III, Governor
State o West Virginia
Frank Jezioro, Director
Division of Natural Resources
Curtis I. Taylor, ChieWildlie Resources Section
Col. Dave Murphy, Chie
Law Enforcement Section
Commissioners
Jerey S. Bowers Sugar Grove
Byron Chambers Romney
Peter L. Cuaro Wheeling
Thomas Dotson White Sulphur Springs
David M. Milne Bruceton Mills
David F. Truban Morgantown
Kenny Wilson Chapmanville
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2 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
SpeciesOpening
DateClosing
DateDaily Bag
LimitPossession
LimitSeason
Limit*Wild Boar (Gun) October 23 October 30
1*Wild Boar (Archery) October 16 December 31
*Deer (Buck) November 22 December 4
See pages 12-16 and antlerless table page 18.
See pages 17, 23 and 28 for special
September Archery and Muzzleloader seasons.
*Deer (Archery)
Split Season
September 13 September 18
October 16 December 31
*Deer (Antlerless)
Split Season
Hampshire County
November 22** December 11
December 29 December 31
October 29 October 30
*Deer (Muzzleloader)
Split Season
September 20 September 25
December 13 December 18
*Deer (Youth/Class Q/QQ)
Split Season (See pages 29-30)
October 30 October 30 1
December 27 December 28 1 2 2
*Bear (Archery) October 16 November 20
1
See pages 38-39*Bear (Gun)(Selected Counties - page 39)
September 27 September 29
September 27 October 2
November 22 December 4
December 6 December 31
*Turkey, Fall(Selected Counties - page 33)
October 23 October 30
1October 23 November 6
October 23 November 20
*Turkey (Spring 2011 - Bearded Only) April 25 May 21 1 2 2
*Turkey (2011 Youth Season - page 33) April 23 April 23 1 - counts towards spring season bag limit o two
Squirrel (Gray, Black, Albino and Fox) October 9 January 31 6 24 None
Small Game (Youth Season - page 30) October 2 October 2 See page 30
Rued Grouse October 16 February 28 4 16 None
Bobwhite Quail November 6 January 1 3 9 None
Cottontail Rabbit November 6 February 28 5 20 None
Snowshoe or Varying Hare November 6 February 28 2 8 None
Ring-necked Pheasant (cock birds only)
Hillcrest WMA (cock birds only)
November 6 January 1 2 2 None
November 13 December 4 1 1 None
Raccoon (Hunting)The bag limit during an 11-hour period beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 5 a.m.is four raccoons for each person or groups of persons hunting as a party.
October 16 February 28 4 None None
Raccoon (Trapping) November 6 February 28 None
Red Fox, Gray Fox (Hunting and Trapping) November 6 February 28 None
*Bobcat (Hunting and Trapping) November 6 February 28 3
Mink, Muskrat (Trapping) November 6 February 28 None
*Fisher (Trapping) November 6 January 31 1
*Beaver (Trapping) November 6 March 31 None
Crow - Split SeasonNuisance Crows - crows committing depredations upon ornamental orshade trees, agricultural crops, home gardens, livestock, or wildlife, or when
concentrated so as to constitute a health hazard and or other nuisance may bekilled at any time.
October 1 November 20
None
January 1 March 5
Coyote (Hunting - day)*** Continuous Open SeasonNone
Coyote (Hunting - night)*** January 1 July 31
Skunk, Opossum, Woodchuck, Weasel, English Sparrow, European
Starling and Pigeon (Hunting)Continuous Open Season
None
Skunk, Opossum, Coyote, and Weasel (Trapping) November 6 February 28
Mountain Lion, Elk, Otter, Song and Insectivorous Birds, Hawks, Falcons and Eagles No Open Season
Geese, Ducks, Mourning Doves, Gallinules, Rails, Woodcock, and Common SnipeHarvest Information Program (HIP) registration required.
See WVDNR Migratory Bird Hunting regulations available in September.
* Must be checked at an official game checking station ** December 5 Closed *** See page 6 for additional regulations
2010-2011 Seasons, Dates and Limits
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GENERAL REGULATIONS
PROHIbITIOnS
It is illegal to:
hunt in state parks (except as otherwise designated), in
safety zones in state forests or wildlife management areas,and in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
shoot, hunt or trap upon the fenced or posted grounds
or lands o another person without having in possession
written permission rom the landowner.
have a crossbow with a nocked bolt, a loaded firearm or a
irearm with an attached magazine rom which all shells
have not been removed in or on any vehicle or conveyance
(including ATVs) or its attachments. You can have a loaded
clip or magazine in the vehicle as long as it is not in or
attached to the firearm. Exception for concealed weapons
permit holders (see page 5).
carry an uncased or loaded firearm in the woods, except
during open firearms hunting seasons. It is legal to hunt
unprotected species of wild animals, wild birds and
migratory game birds during the open season in fields,
waters and marshes.
hunt with a ully automatic irearm.
hunt small game in counties having a bucks-only season
during the first three days of this season. It is legal to hunt
waterfowl during this period on lakes, rivers, and waterways
during the open waterfowl season, to hunt bear in specified
counties, and to hunt coyotes.
hunt deer, bear or boar between hour after sunset and
hour beore sunrise or with an electronic call.
be afield with a gun and bow, or with a gun and any arrows,
except for concealed weapons permit holders (see page 5).
carry an uncased gun or crossbow in or on a vehicle between
5 p.m. and 7 a.m. E.S.T. from October 1 June 30; and between
8:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. E.S.T. from July 1 September 30.
carry an uncased or loaded gun after 5 a.m. on Sunday in
counties which prohibit Sunday hunting except as provided
in the trapping regulations.
shoot a firearm within 400 feet of a school or church, or
within 500 feet of a dwelling, or on or near a park or other
place where persons are gathered or pleasure.
hunt while under the inluence o alcohol.
for anyone under the age of 15 to hunt on public land or the
lands of another unless accompanied by a licensed adult, at
least 18 years of age, who remains near enough to render
advice and assistance (see exception or youth seasons
pages 29-30 and 33).
hunt or ish with a modiied bow without a special permit
issued by the Director.
get out o a motor vehicle along a public road and shoot a bow
or firearm unless you are at least 25 yards from the vehicle.
shoot at or to shoot any wild bird or animal unless it is
plainly visible.
shoot at a deer or boar while it is in water.
hunt or conduct hunts or a ee where the hunter is not
physically present in the same location as the wildlie
being hunted.
use or take advantage of artificial light in hunting, locating,
attracting, or trapping wild birds or wild animals while in
possession or control of a firearm, whether cased or uncased,
bow, arrow, or other implement suitable for taking, killing or
trapping a wild bird or animal. However, lights may be used
for taking raccoon, skunk and opossum provided the lights
are not attached to or used rom a vehicle or other land
conveyance. Coyotes may be hunted using amber or red-
colored artificial light in open season (see page 6). No person
shall be guilty of using an artificial light to look for, at, or
attract a wild bird or animal, unless in possession of a firearm,whether cased or uncased, bow, arrow, or other implement
suitable for taking, killing or trapping a wild bird or animal,
or unless the artiicial light (other than the headlamps o a
vehicle or other land conveyance) is attached to, a part of, or
used rom a vehicle or other land conveyance.
smoke wildlie rom its den or place o reuge except as
provided by law or regulation.
hunt with a crossbow or have a crossbow aield except
that Class Y and Class YY permit holders may hunt with a
crossbow in established archery seasons.
catch or kill, or attempt to do so by seine, net, bait, trap,
deadfall, snare, or like device, any bear, game bird, protected
bird or mammal, or wild boar.
bait or eed bear.
hunt or shoot at wild animals or birds rom an airborne
conveyance, from a vehicle or other land conveyance,
from a motor-driven water conveyance, or from or across a
public road, unless specifically authorized to do so by law
or regulation. You may shoot rom a motorized watercrat i
the motor has been completely shut o and progress rom
the motor has ceased.
use poisons, chemicals or explosives in taking any
furbearing animal, game animal, game bird or protected
song and insectivorous bird, provided that groundhogs may
be controlled on private land by landowners, their resident
children or resident parents, or a resident tenant from April
1 through September 30.
use shot larger than No. 4 or solid ball ammunition, except
or .22 caliber or smaller rimire during the buck deer season
in the our counties closed to the buck season.
hunt between hour after sunset and hour before sunrise
with any firearm larger than .22 caliber rimfire, a shotgun using
solid ball ammunition or shot shells larger than No. 4 shot.
dispose o animal carcasses by dumping along any public
road or highway.
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4 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
GENERAL REGULATIONS
TRaPPIng REgulaTIOnS
Trappers shall present beaver and isher pelts to a game checking
station or DNR representative within 30 days after the close of
the respective trapping season. The oicial game checking tag
provided by the DNR shall be attached and remain attached toeach beaver, bobcat and fisher pelt until it has been sold, tanned,
processed into commercial ur or mounted.
A person may not ship or transport any raw furs, pelts, or skins
o wild urbearers outside o the state unless such shipment has
a special shipping tag visibly attached. Shipping tags must be
obtained from the DNR. One part shall be attached to the outside
o the package or container and the other part completed and
returned to the DNR within 24 hours of shipping furs out of state.
The dealer or buyer of raw furs, pelts, or skins of furbearers in this
state shall have a dealers license and shall submit to the Director
a completed ur dealer transaction report as provided by the
Director.
It is illegal to:
have in possession an untagged beaver, bobcat, or fisher pelt or
parts thereof, after 30 days following the close of the respective
season.
set deadalls or taking wildlie.
set traps with an open jaw spread of more than 6 inches
except as underwater sets or beaver.
set traps or trapping devices in human oot trails or
livestock paths.
set body gripping (killer) type traps for terrestrial trapping, but
they may be used in water sets.set spring pole snares.
use exposed animal or bird carcasses or parts thereo to bait an
animal to a trap set that is within 50 feet of the carcass. Animal or
bird carcasses or parts thereo that are completely covered and
concealed rom sight may be used as a lure at the immediate
trap site.
trap without written permission o a landowner.
take beaver, fisher, mink, or muskrat by any means other than by
trap.
use steel jaw traps with any teeth on or attached to them.
set a trap, trapset or snare upon a tree, post or other natural
or man-made object at any point more than three linear feetfrom the surface of the earth (whether such surface is water,
soil or rock) measured at right angle from the surface to the
trap or trapset. Traps may be set on natural earthen mounds,
such as ant hills or muskrat houses, constructed without human
assistance.
set traps other than underwater body gripping-type traps in
March.
trap in state parks, in safety zones located in state forests
and wildlife management areas, in Harpers Ferry NHP and on
National Park Service land within the New River Gorge NR.
trap on a state WMA without obtaining a permit rom the
District Wildlie Biologist.
A trap is a device used to catch and hold animals and includes
box traps, killer-type traps, leghold traps and snares.
No traps shall be set before 8 a.m. on the first day of the seasonor either set or let set ater 12 noon on the last day o the season.
All traps MUST be checked and tended daily.
Traps previously and legally set may be tended after 5 a.m. on
Sunday, if the person so doing shall have no firearm greater
than .22 caliber rimire in possession.
Nonresidents must possess a valid Class E or XXJ license and a
CS/LE stamp to trap.
All traps used or taking game or ur-bearing animals shall be
marked with a durable plate or tag attached to the snare, trap
or trap chain bearing the owners name and address.
A person who unintentionally traps and kills more than theseason bag limit shall deliver excess animals to a Natural
Resource Police oicer within 24 hours.
Foot snares are legal when the snare loop:
does not exceed 6 inches in diameter.1.
is at ground level.2.
is horizontal to ground level.3.
Terrestrial body-gripping snares are legal when thesnare:
has a relaxing-type lock system with a breaking point1.
of 350 pounds or less or a stop with a minimum loop
diameter of at least 2 inches.is set with an average loop diameter not greater than 152.
inches.
is anchored at the trap site.3.
Tagging and Shipping Requirements:
Each person killing a bobcat must attach a completed field tag
to the bobcat or remain with the bobcat and have upon their
person a completed ield tag beore moving the carcass rom
where it was killed. A person who does not have a ield tag
must make one. This tag must bear the hunters name, address,
hunting license number (if required) and the date, time and
county of kill. Immediately upon arriving at a residence, camp,hunting lodge, vehicle or vessel the field tag must be attached
to the bobcat and remain on the carcass until it is tagged with
an official game checking tag, which must be completed within
30 days o the close o bobcat season.
Bobcat hunters and trappers should obtain a plastic CITES seal
or each bobcat pelt they plan to sell out o state. All bobcat
pelts being sold by licensed fur dealers must have a CITES seal
rom the state where the animal was harvested beore being
sold on the international market. CITES seals are only available
at DNR off ices (see inside front cover).
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REgulaTIOnS
MEETIng SCHEDulE
March 14, 2011
Fairmont, Lewisburg, Martinsburg, Milton, Spencer, andSummersville
March 15, 2011
Buckhannon, Glen Dale, Logan, Moorefield, Parkersburg,
and Twin Falls Resort State Park
GENERAL REGULATIONS
aRCHERy REgulaTIOnS
Nonresident bow hunters, except holders of Class DT licenses,
must possess a Class EE license, and Class CS/LE and DS stamps
to hunt bear.
For bow fishing, a resident is required to have a fishing license.
A nonresident is required to have a Class E or XXJ license and a
Class CS/LE stamp; or a Class DT license.
A bow, but not a crossbow, may be substituted for a firearm
during any season or which irearms are legal except during
muzzleloader irearms deer seasons.
A Class Y or YY permit allows a qualified, physically challenged
person to hunt with a crossbow during designated archery seasons.
It is illegal to:
have a gun and bow afield together, except that persons
who have a concealed weapon permit may carry aconcealed handgun or sel deense only.
have a crossbow with a nocked bolt in or on any vehicle or
conveyance or its attachments.
carry an uncased crossbow in or on a vehicle between 5 p.m.
and 7 a.m. E.S.T. from October 1 June 30; and between 8:30
p.m and 5 a.m. E.S.T. from July 1 September 30.
hunt with a crossbow except or the holder o a Class Y or
YY permit during designated archery seasons. A crossbow
must have:
a draw weight of at least 125 pounds.
a working saety.
bolts at least 18 inches long.broadheads with at least two edges at least -inch wide.
hunt turkey, bear, deer or boar with arrows having less than
two sharp cutting edges, measuring less than of an inch
in width.
use an arrow with an explosive, drug-laced or poisoned
head or shat.
have a bow in the woods during closed seasons on game
animals and non-migratory game birds.
use dogs while bow hunting or black bear except during
the bear irearms season (this exception is only or counties
where dogs are legal see pages 37 and 39).
hunt with a locking device capable of holding a bow at full draw,except with a modiied bow permit issued by the Director.
bowhunt on state parks (except as otherwise designated,
see page 9) and wildlife refuges, Harpers Ferry NHP, and
saety zones on state orests and wildlie management
areas. All wildlie reuges are appropriately posted.
TaggIng anD TRanSPORTIng
Refer to deer, bear, wild turkey, boar and trapping sections for
speciic tagging and transporting requirements.
No persons may transport wildlife killed by another hunter, unlethe wildlie or parts thereo is accompanied by a paper tag illed
out legibly bearing the signature, address, date of kill, hunting
license number (if required) and the official game checking tag
number (if required) of the hunter who killed the wildlife. The ta
shall also speciy the species and quantity o wildlie.
PISTOl lawS anD REgulaTIOnS
Individuals who possess a valid concealed carry permit may
carry a concealed handgun while afield hunting, hiking,
camping, fishing or in or on a motor vehicle for purposes of se
deense only.
Only persons 21 years old or older are eligible or a Class A-1 stam
Only pistols having a barrel at least 4 inches in length are lega
or hunting.
While hunting, the licensee shall carry the pistol outside his/h
outer clothing, in an unconcealed and easily visible place.
A pistol may be used only during established hunting seasons
Only single-shot muzzleloading pistols o .38 caliber or larger
are legal or hunting deer during the muzzleloader season.
It is legal to hunt groundhogs in open fields with a pistol.
It is illegal to:
take migratory game birds with a pistol.
hunt between 1/2 hour ater sunset and 1/2 hour beore
sunrise with a pistol larger than .22 caliber rimire.
hunt bear, deer, or wild boar with a pistol using a straight-
walled case of less than .357 magnum cartridge or a bottle
necked case o less than .24 caliber.
hunt bear, deer, or wild boar with a muzzleloading pistol o
less than .38 caliber.
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6 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
GENERAL REGULATIONS
wHEn lICEnSES OR PERMITS
aRE nOT REquIRED
Resident landowners or their resident children or their1.
resident parents or resident tenants of such land, may hunt
or trap on their own land without a license during open
seasons (see deinition o resident landowner privileges on
page 8).
Residents honorably discharged rom the U.S. armed2.
orces receiving total permanent service connected
disability beneits or ormer prisoners o war as
determined by the Veterans Administration or resident
disabled veterans who qualiy under West Virginia Code
17A-10-8 and are exempted from payment of a motor
vehicle registration ee by the Commissioner o Motor
Vehicles, may hunt or trap without a license during open
seasons. Such individuals shall carry on their person an
identiication card issued by the Director. Some additional
stamps may be required (see pages 9 and 41).Ohio residents who carry valid Ohio hunting licenses may3.
hunt waterowl on the Ohio River and its embayments or
tributaries to points identiied by the Director or rom the
West Virginia banks o said river without obtaining West
Virginia licenses, and West Virginia residents who carry
valid West Virginia hunting licenses may hunt waterowl
on Ohio River embayments or tributaries to designated
points in Ohio or rom the rivers banks in Ohio without
obtaining Ohio licenses. Ohio hunting laws apply to
residents o Ohio and West Virginia while hunting or
ishing rom Ohio banks or in Ohio embayment areas. West
Virginia hunting laws apply to residents o Ohio and West
Virginia while hunting on the Ohio River proper or romWest Virginia banks and embayment areas.
Residents 65 years of age or older do not need a license4.
to hunt or trap, but shall carry a WV drivers license or WV
photo ID card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles
(see page 41). Residents who have not reached their 15th
birthday may hunt without a license but they must be
accompanied by a licensed adult at least 18 years o age
(exceptions, see pages 29-30 and 33). Some additional
stamps may be required (see pages 9 and 41).
West Virginia residents on active duty in the U.S. armed5.
forces while on military leave, may hunt or trap in season
without obtaining a license. Leave papers shall be carried
while hunting or trapping. Some additional hunting
stamps may be required (see pages 9 and 41).
Persons participating in ield trials permitted by the6.
Director shall not be required to have a hunting license.
Persons under 16 years of age do not need a migratory7.
waterowl stamp.
DOg TRaInIng
Persons training dogs shall not have a irearm or other
implement or taking wildlie in their possession during closed
seasons on wild animals and birds. Persons participating in dog
training must have a hunting license.
A person may not be guilty of hunting without permission just
because their dog, without their direction or encouragement,
travels onto another persons land where they do not have
permission to hunt, providing no game is taken, livestock or
domestic animals killed or damage done to that property. Dogs
may not be retrieved without the landowners permission.
No person, other than the owner of a registered dog, may
remove a tag, collar or other identifying apparel, nor remove
or turn o a radio transmitting collar without the permission
of the owner unless it is necessary to prevent or treat an injury
to the dog, or is done by a law enforcement officer for law
enorcement purposes.
Residents may train dogs and hold ield trials on wild
animals and birds on public lands or on private land with the
landowners written permission at any time. Prohibitions on
Sunday hunting also apply to dog training. Dogs may not be
trained on deer or wild turkey.
Nonresidents may train dogs during any open small game
hunting season, or if their state offers WV hunters reciprocal
dog training privileges, they may train dogs on raccoons from
August 15 through February 28. See additional information on
bear dog training on page 37.
Bird Dog Training
A permit may be obtained to train dogs on pigeons or
commercially pen-raised quail on private land i training during
a closed season and i birds are being killed.
COyOTE HunTIng REgulaTIOnS
During daylight hours ( hour before sunrise to hour after
sunset) coyotes may be hunted year round.
Hunting coyotes at night using amber or red-colored artiicial
light is legal rom January 1 thru July 31.
Firearms legal for night coyote hunting are shotguns with #4
or smaller shot and rimire riles or handguns o .22 caliberor smaller.
During closed small game season, coyotes may only be hunted
in open ields. Guns must be cased while being transported to
and rom the open ield.
Electronic calls are legal.
There is no daily, annual or season bag limit.
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J U L Y 2 0 10 J U N E 2 0 1 1 R E G U L A T I O N S S U M M A R Y
REPORTIng HunTIng
law VIOlaTIOnS
In progress dial 911
Not in progress call District Law Enforcement Office
during normal operating hours.
Observe and write down all o the inormation1.
concerning the violation.
Dont conront the violator.2.
Contact a local Natural Resource Police officer or3.
county communication center as soon as possible.
Become involved in protecting your sport, be willing to4.
testiy in court.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
ManDaTORy HunTER EDuCaTIOn
& IDEnTIFICaTIOn REquIREMEnT
No hunting license or stamp may be issued to a person born
on or after January 1, 1975, unless the person presents to the
license agent: a certiicate o satisactory completion o a
Hunter Education Course approved by the Hunter Education
Association or the Director, or the previous years resident or
nonresident WV hunting license bearing certification, or attests
to certiication when purchasing a license online. Persons who
purchase a lifetime hunting license before their 15th birthday
must complete a certiied hunter education course beore
using the license. Upon satisactory completion o a certiied
hunters education course, hunters age 8 and 9, will receive a
temporary certiication which expires at age 10. They must
retake and successully complete a hunter education course at
age 10 to receive permanent certiication.
A person may not legally hunt unless he/she has on his/her
person: a) the proper licenses, stamps or permits, b) a photo ID,and c) proof of hunter safety certification (if required).
Hunters who have lost their hunter education card may obtain
a duplicate rom their local district law enorcement oice.
Applications or duplicate cards are available at license agents
or www.wvhuntered.com and the ee is $10.
Hunter Education Classes Inormation:
Contact the WVDNR District Office closest to you or visitwww.wvhuntered.com or www.wvdnr.gov and ollow the
Hunter Education prompts.
POInT SySTEM FOR
HunTIng VIOlaTIOnS
Persons ound guilty o negligent shooting o humans or
livestock will have their hunting licenses revoked or ive years.
For bear hunting violation penalties see page 36.
Persons making alse application or a license will have their
license privileges suspended or one year.
Points are assigned or other hunting violations:
10 points use o spotlight with irearms or
other implement.6 points illegal possession or sale o wildlie or illegally
killing deer, boar, or turkey.
6 points hunting rom a motor vehicle.
4 points all other hunting violations.
When a person accumulates 10 or more hunting and/or ishing
violation points combined, his/her licenses will be revoked for a
period o two years.
Points will be removed on the second anniversary or upon
restoration o the license.
SunDay HunTIng
In any county where Sunday hunting has not been prohibited
by local election, Sunday hunting is legal on private land
only with written permission o the landowner. Hunting is
prohibited on any Sunday preceding the Monday opening o a
big game season (deer, turkey, boar or bear).
For a current list of counties open to Sunday hunting, visit
www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/SundayHunt.shtm or check with
your county DNR officer or county clerk.
naTIOnal FORESTS
National Forests are managed under cooperative agreement
with the U.S. Forest Service.
Each wildlife management area on the national forests1.
contains interspersed private land within its boundaries.
Permission is required on all private land before hunting,
ishing or trapping.
Contact each National Forest for current rules and2.
regulations applicable to the WMA areas.
George Washington and JeersonNational Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway Roanoke, VA 24019-3050
(540) 265-5100Toll Free: 1-888-265-0019
www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/
Monongahela National Forest
200 Sycamore Street Elkins, WV 26241
Voice and TDD: (304) 636-1800
www.s.ed.us/r9/mn/
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8 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
DEFInITIOnS OF TERMS uSED
Bait: any eed or edible enticement.
Baiting: the direct or indirect placing or exposing o bait soas to attract or entice wildlie to an area where huntersare attempting to take them. An area is considered to be
baited or 10 days ater bait is removed.
Big Game: black bear, deer, wild turkey and boar.
Bow: a longbow, recurve bow, or compound bow that ishand-drawn, hand-held and held at full draw without theaid o any mechanical device. Triggering devices or releaseaids are legal.
Concurrent hunting: hunting o the same and/or otherspecies during a legally prescribed season.
Hunt: to chase, catch or take wild birds or animals.
Lie-threatening condition: a terminal condition or illnessthat according to current diagnosis has a high probabilityo death within two years even with treatment with anexisting generally accepted protocol.
Modiied bow: a longbow, recurve bow, or compound bowthat has been modiied to hold the bow at ull draw toaccommodate a physical impairment o the user.
Nonresident: person who does not meet the requirementso a resident.
Permanently disabled in the lower extremities: anindividual who is permanently and totally disabled dueto paralysis or disease in the lower half of the body, whichmakes it impossible to ambulate successully more thantwo hundred eet without assistance.
Possession limit: game taken in WV which is in any wayunder the hunters control. Example; the total of all gamein a car, truck, home freezer, commercial food locker, orany other storage place.
Private lands: lands owned by an individual(s), partnership,heirship, club, organization or company and/or notqualiying as public land.
Protected: no open season. Hunting at any time shall beillegal or protected wildlie.
Public lands: State or Federal lands owned, leased, licensedto or under the control of West Virginia DNR for wildlifemanagement purposes.
Resident: a person who has been a domiciled residentcontinuously in West Virginia or 30 consecutive days ormore immediately prior to the date o application or alicense or permit. This includes members o the U.S. armedorces stationed outside the state who were West Virginiaresidents at the time o entry into the service and ull-time
students of a college or university of this state. Nonresidentstudents o West Virginia colleges are not eligible to applyor lietime licenses. Absentee ownership o land in WestVirginia does not constitute legal residence.
Resident landowner privileges: apply to West Virginiaresidents who own land in West Virginia, their residentchildren and parents, or resident tenants when huntingor trapping on their own land. Resident tenants mustpermanently live on the land.
Small Game: all game and furbearing animals, and gamebirds except big game. Does not include coyotes.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
naTIOnal wIlDlIFE REFugES
Rules and regulations governing hunting and ishing can be
obtained rom:
Ohio River Islands National Wildlie Reuge
3982 Waverly Road Williamstown, WV 26187
(304) 375-2923 www.ws.gov/northeast/ohioriverislands/
Canaan Valley National Wildlie Reuge
HC 70, Box 200 Davis, WV 26260
(304) 866-3858 www.ws.gov/canaanvalley/
wIlDlIFE ManagEMEnT aREaS
anD STaTE FORESTS
Rules and regulations governing hunting and trapping on stateowned and leased lands are the same as on adjacent private
lands except as ollows:
Trapping permit, available from District Wildlife Biologist,1.
required on all areas.
Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake, Green2.
Bottom, Hillcrest and McClintic WMAs and Calvin Price and
Coopers Rock State Forests Hunting only in accordance
with special rules established for the area (see pages 10-11,
15-16, 22, 25 and 27).
WMAs and state orests with camping areas require a3.
permit and fee (see regulations posted at each area).
Camping is lawful ONLY in designated areas.4.Use o ATVs and snowmobiles is prohibited. All-Terrain5.
Vehicle (ATV) means any motor vehicle designed for
off-road use not subject to the vehicle registration
requirements of Chapter 17A of the West Virginia Code.
Driving a vehicle, ATV, or snowmobile so as to harass or6.
chase wildlie is prohibited.
Maximum speed limit or vehicles on WMAs and state7.
forests is 30 miles per hour, unless otherwise posted. All
traic signs and directions must be observed.
Driving a vehicle in a manner which creates a nuisance8.
to other persons by repetitive or continuous cruising is
prohibited.
Class Q and Class QQ hunting access is available on some9.
WMAs. Contact the District Wildlie Biologist or more
information (see pages 34-35).
Only portable tree stands may be used on public lands.10.
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J U L Y 2 0 10 J U N E 2 0 1 1 R E G U L A T I O N S S U M M A R Y
General Regulations DEER
RESIDEnT DEER HunTIng lICEnSE
PRIVIlEgES wITH
Annual Classes X and XJ, Lietime ClassesA-L and AB-L, Military, Disabled Veteran,ormer POW, Senior Citizen and Underage:
entitles a hunter to take one deer during the archery season,
one antlered deer during the buck season and one deer during
the muzzleloader season (see pages 23 and 28 or special
archery and muzzleloader seasons).
Additional stamps must be purchased:
to hunt an additional antlered deer in buck season: Class RG
to archery hunt an additional deer: Class RB
to hunt antlerless deer in antlerless season: Class N
to hunt with a handgun: Class A-1
to hunt an additional deer with a muzzleloader in
muzzleloader season: Class RM
Annual Class A (must also have a Class CS):
entitles the hunter to hunt one antlered deer during the
buck season.
Additional stamps must be purchased:
to hunt an additional antlered deer in buck season: Class RG
to archery hunt deer: Class BG
to archery hunt an additional deer: Class RB
to muzzleloader hunt deer in muzzleloader season: Class BG
to hunt an additional deer with a muzzleloader in
muzzleloader season: Class RM
to hunt antlerless deer in antlerless season: Class N
to hunt with a handgun: Class A-1
RESIDEnT
lanDOwnER PRIVIlEgES
West Virginia resident landowners may hunt on their own
land without obtaining a license. See deinition o resident
landowner privileges on page 8.
A resident landowner hunting on his/her own land without a
license can take the same number o deer as a licensed hunter.
A hunter (licensee or landowner) cannot take more than the
number o deer allowed in the respective seasons.
After killing a deer as a landowner, a person cannot take
another deer by use o a license or which the privilege has
already been used.
RESIDEnT anD nOnRESIDEnT
lICEnSE PRIVIlEgES wITH a
ClaSS DT SPECIal HunTIng anD
FISHIng lICEnSE FOR PERSOnSwITH a lIFE-THREaTEnIng
COnDITIOn
A resident or nonresident under age 21, who qualifies for
and obtains a Class DT license, may hunt for and take the
legal number o deer allowed in each season in compliance
with county and statewide regulations without purchasing
or otherwise obtaining any additional licenses or stamps,
providing the Class DT license holder and assistant must
abide by all other pertinent laws and regulations. Class DT
license holders must be accompanied by a parent, guardian
or, with written consent of the parent or guardian, any other
competent licensed adult 21 years o age or older.
REPlaCEMEnT COSTS FOR
IllEgally InjuRIng OR KIllIng
anTlERED DEER
In addition to the $200 replacement value of deer, the
ollowing cost shall also be oreited to the state by any perso
who is convicted o violating any criminal law o this state and
the violation causes the injury or death of antlered deer:
1. For any deer in which the inside spread of the main1.
beams on the antlers measured at the widest point
equals 14 or greater but less than 16, $1,000;
2. For any deer in which the inside spread of the main2.
beams on the antlers measured at the widest point
equals 16 or greater but less than 18, $1,500;
3. For any deer in which the inside spread of the main3.
beams on the antlers measured at the widest point
equals 18 or greater but less than 20, $2,000;
4. For any deer in which the inside spread of the main4.
beams on the antlers measured at the widest point
equals 20 or greater, $2,500;
5. Any person convicted of a second or subsequent5.
violation o any criminal law o this state which violationcauses the injury or death of antlered deer is subject to
double the authorized range o cost to be oreited.
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10 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
DEER General Regulations
nOnRESIDEnT
lICEnSE PRIVIlEgES
Nonresidents ages 8 thru 17 who havesatisactorily completed a HunterEducation Course may purchase a Class XXJlicense and a Class CS/LE stamp:
entitles the holder to take one deer during the archery season,
one antlered deer during the buck season, and one deer during
the muzzleloader season.
Additional stamps must be purchased:
to hunt an additional antlered deer in buck season: Class RRG
to archery hunt an additional deer: Class RRB
to hunt antlerless deer in antlerless season: Class NN
to hunt an additional deer with a muzzleloader in
muzzleloader season: Class RRM
All other nonresidents, except those whohold License Classes XXJ or DT, regardless olandowner status, must purchase an annualClass E license and a Class CS/LE stamp:
entitles the holder to hunt one antlered deer during the
buck season.
Additional stamps must be purchased:
to hunt an additional antlered deer in buck season: Class RRG
to archery hunt deer: Class UU
to archery hunt an additional deer: Class RRB
to muzzleloader hunt deer in muzzleloader season: Class VV
to hunt an additional deer with a muzzleloader in
muzzleloader season: Class RRM
to hunt antlerless deer in antlerless season: Class NN
to hunt on national forest lands: Class I
to hunt with a handgun: Class A-1
HunTIng HOuRS
anD RESTRICTIOnS
After a person has killed his/her legal daily limit of deer, they
may not participate urther in hunting deer with either a bow
or irearm the remainder o the day.
After killing the legal limit of deer, a hunter shall not be afield
with any firearm with solid ball ammunition, unless legally
hunting bear, or shot shells containing larger than No. 4 shot
unless legally hunting waterowl using nontoxic shot.
It is legal to hunt small game during the muzzleloader season
with a .22 caliber rimire.
A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer per
calendar year in all archery and irearms seasons combined.
FIREaRMS/bOwS anD EquIPMEnT
It is illegal to hunt deer with:
a shotgun using ammunition loaded with more than one
solid ball, or a rifle using rimfire ammunition of less than
.25 caliber.
a fully automatic rifle, shotgun or handgun.
a handgun using a straight-walled case of less than .357
magnum cartridge or a bottle-necked case o less than
.24 caliber.
a muzzleloader o less than .38 caliber during the
muzzleloader deer season.
both a gun and a bow, or with a gun and any arrows, except
that persons having a concealed weapons permit may carry
a concealed handgun or sel-deense only.
a crossbow, except for the holder of a Class Y or Class YY permit
during designated archery seasons. Crossbows must have:
a draw weight of at least 125 pounds.
a working saety.
bolts at least 18 inches long.
broadheads with at least two edges at least -inch
in width.
a bow with arrows having less than two sharp cutting edges,
measuring less than -inch in width.a bow locking device, except with a modified bow permit
issued by the Director.
an arrow with an explosive, drug-laced or poisoned head
or shat.
anything other than a bow or single-shot muzzleloader
on Green Bottom WMA, except that the holder of Class Y
or YY permit may hunt with a crossbow during designated
archery seasons.
an electronic call.
STaTE PaRK SPECIal DEER
SEaSOnS
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
November 8-9
Stonewall Resort State Park
November 15-17
Applications and inormation available July 1 at
www.wvdnr.gov, District DNR offices and State Parks
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HaMPSHIRE COunTy
CHROnIC waSTIng DISEaSE
(CwD) COnTaInMEnT aREa
Includes all of Hampshire County.
Carcass Transport Regulations
Hunters are prohibited rom transporting dead cervids
(deer, elk, etc.) or
their parts beyond the
boundary o the containment
area except or the ollowing:
meat that has been boned out,1.
quarters or other portions o2.
meat with no part o the spinal
column or head attached,
cleaned hide with no3. head attached,
clean skull plate4.
(no meat or tissue
attached) with antlers
attached,
antlers with no meat or tissue attached, and5.
inished taxidermy mounts.6.
Hunters may transport cervid carcasses that were not killed
inside the containment area through the containment area.
Baiting and Feeding see regulations
listed below.
General Regulations DEER
blazE ORangE REquIREMEnT
Persons hunting in counties or portions thereo where a deer
irearms season is presently open shall wear a blaze orange
outer garment o at least 400 square inches. This applies to
counties or parts thereo with a special youth/Class Q or QQdeer season. This does not apply to waterowl hunters and
persons engaged in arming activities on their own land.
FIElD TaggIng, CHECKIng
anD TRanSPORTIng
Each person killing a deer must attach a completed field tag to
the deer or remain with the deer and have upon their person
a completed ield tag beore moving the carcass rom where it
was killed. A person who does not have a ield tag must make
one. This tag must bear the hunters name, address, hunting
license number (if required) and the date, time and county of
kill. Immediately upon arriving at a residence, camp, hunting
lodge, vehicle or vessel the field tag shall be attached to the
deer and must remain on the carcass until it is tagged with an
oicial game checking tag.
The unskinned carcass or the fresh skin and head of each deer,
shall be delivered to a Natural Resource Police officer or an
oicial checking station or checking and retagging:
before it is transported beyond the county adjacent to the1.
county of kill,
within 72 hours from when it was killed or 24 hours from2.
the close of the respective season, whichever comes first.
All deer killed in Logan, McDowell, Mingo or Wyoming counties
shall be checked and retagged at an oicial game checking
station in the our-county area within 24 hours o the time o
kill. Deer killed outside these our counties may not be checked
within the our-county area.
A hunter may not hunt an additional deer until the day ater
legally taking a previous deer providing previously killed deer
has been checked, except for that portion of the antlerless deer
season during which two deer may be taken on the same day on
private land provided the irst deer has been legally checked.
No person may transport wildlife killed by another hunter, unless
the wildlie or parts thereo is accompanied by a paper tag illed
out legibly bearing the signature, address, date of kill, hunting
license number (if required) and the official game checking tagnumber (if required) of the hunter who killed the wildlife. The tag
shall also speciy the species and quantity o wildlie.
baITIng anD FEEDIng
REgulaTIOnS
It is illegal to bait or feed cervids or other wildlife in a
Containment Area as determined by the Director and
established for the management, control or eradication of
chronic wasting disease or other wildlie diseases. Song and
insectivorous birds may be fed, provided that such feeding shall
not cause, or be done in a manner that would be reasonably
anticipated to cause, a congregation of cervids or other wildlife.Provided further, that captive cervids may be fed inside cervid
facilities permitted by the Division of Natural Resources.
It is also illegal to bait or feed wildlife on Beech Fork Lake,
Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake and McClintic WMAs and on
Coopers Rock and Calvin Price State Forests (see pages 22, 25, 27).
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14
WEST
VIRGINIA
HU
NTINGANDTRAPPING
The maximum annual bag limit (excluding special urban archery hunts) may include no more t
County
See Pages 15-16 forPublic Land Regulations
Archery
October 16 December 31See page 17 for special
September Season
Buck Firearms
November 22 December 4
Antlerless
Season Closed
Boone
Clay(South of Elk Riverand public land
North of Elk River)
Fayette
Greenbrier(Northern portion,see pages 18and 19)
Kanawha(South of ElkRiver and East ofCorridor G)
Mercer(West of I-77)
Nicholas
Pendleton(public land only)
Pocahontas(public land only)
Raleigh
Randolph(public land only)
Wayne(South ofRoute 37)
Webster
Maximum season bag limit: 2
A irst either sex deermust be taken on a validbase license or license
combination, free license,resident underage, or by aresident landowner huntingon his/her own land.
One additional either sexdeer may be taken on aClass RB or RRB stamp or bya resident landowner usingthat privilege.
Maximum season bag limit: 2
The irst antlered deermust be taken on a validbase license or license
combination, free license,resident underage or by aresident landowner huntingon his/her own land.
One additional antlereddeer may be taken on aClass RG or RRG stamp or bya resident landowner usingthat privilege.
Season Closed
Logan
McDowell
Mingo
Wyoming
Maximum season bag limit: 2
Only one antlered deer maybe taken per year.
One deer may be taken ona valid base license, freelicense, resident underage,or by a resident landownerhunting on his/her own landand one deer may be takenon a class RB or RRB stampor by a resident landownerusing that privilege;
OR, if the hunters first
archery deer was taken in acounty open to irearms deerhunting, two deer (one mustbe antlerless) may be takenon Class RB or RRB stampsor by a resident landownerusing those privileges.
Season Closed Season Closed
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J U L Y 2 0 10 J U N E 2 0 1 1 R E G U L A T I O N S S U M M A R Y
All antlerless deer taken during the antlerless deer season or
the portion o the antlerless deer season concurrent with buck
firearms season must be taken on a Class N or NN stamp, Class
DT license or as a landowner. See exception or concurrent
archery hunting on page 22.
All West Virginia residents must purchase a Class N
stamp to hunt during the antlerless season with the
ollowing exceptions:
Resident landowners (see page 9) may hunt antlerless deer
on their land without a license provided the land is in a
county or part thereo open to antlerless deer hunting.
Resident landowners, their resident children or resident
parents do not have to live on the property. However, a
resident tenant must permanently live on the land.
Resident stockholders o resident corporations ormed or
the primary purpose o hunting or ishing who own in ee
no less than 1,000 acres may hunt antlerless deer on their
own land, provided the land is in a county or part thereofopen to antlerless deer hunting.
Residents or nonresidents who hold Class DT licenses are
not required to purchase Class N or NN stamps but must
abide by all other antlerless regulations.
lIMITED RESIDEnT n anD unlIMITED RESIDEnT anD
nOnRESIDEnT ClaSS n OR nn wITH a bag lIMIT OF OnE
Antlerless Season DEER
All nonresidents, military personnel, senior citizens, Class Q and
QQ, disabled veterans, former POWs and underage hunters
not exempted must purchase a Class N or NN stamp to hunt
antlerless deer during the antlerless season.
Class N or NN stamps may be purchased at any license agent,county clerks office, the DNR offices in Charleston and Elkins,
or on the DNR Web site (see page 41).
Class N or NN stamps are nontransferable. Class N or NN stamps
are not county specific, but in limited resident counties or WMAs,
the Class N stamp must be accompanied by a valid eligibility card.
During the antlerless season a Class N or NN stamp holder may
substitute a bow or a irearm to take antlerless deer.
Only one antlerless deer may be taken on each Class N or
NN stamp.
Only one antlerless deer may be taken per day, except that two
antlerless deer may be taken on the same day during December
6-11, 2010, on private land only, provided the first deer is legallychecked prior to hunting a second deer.
No person may actively participate (driving) in any manner in
hunting antlerless deer without a valid Class N or NN stamp or
otherwise being exempt from having a Class N or NN stamp.
Counties with limited resident hunting or Class N deer in antlerless season
64
60
219
60
64
9
219
63SummersCounty
Greenbrier County
FayetteCounty
RainelleRupert
Lewisburg
Organ Cave
Caldwel
Alderson
Ren
Monroe County
Limited Resident
Unlimited Residentand Nonresident
Seven counties or parts thereof and four wildlife management areas (WMAs)
have a limited number of Class N stamps for resident antlerless deer hunting
(see page 13 and 18). To be eligible to hunt in one of these counties or WMAs
an application must be submitted by August 20, 2010. Successful applicants
will receive notification from the DNR by mail. See pages 15-16 for antlerless
regulations on Wildlie Management Areas and other public lands.
In limited resident antlerless counties or parts thereof and limited
resident antlerless WMAs, a hunter may take only one deer in the
antlerless season.
To apply, ask your license agent for an antlerless permit
application or download one from www.wvdnr.gov.
Counties with a bag limit o one Class
N or NN deer in antlerless seasonSeven counties or parts thereo have an unlimited
number of Class N or NN stamps for resident
and nonresident antlerless deer hunting (see
pages 13 and 18). No application is necessary for
these counties. Hunters may take one antlerless
(Class N or NN) deer in each county or part
thereof in this group of counties, not to exceed
the maximum statewide bag limit o 4 antlerless
(Class N or NN) deer. See pages 15-16 for antlerless
regulations on WMAs and other public lands.
*Private lanonly in Clay
Pendleton,
Pocahontas
and Randol
counties.
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20 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
HaMPSHIRE COunTy CwD
COnTaInMEnT aREa
See page 11 or special regulations regarding deer carcass
transport and baiting and eeding o wildlie within
Hampshire County.
COunTIES wITH a bag lIMIT OF
TwO OR FOuR ClaSS n OR nn DEER In anTlERlESS SEaSOn
DEER Antlerless Season
COnCuRREnT HunTIng DuRIng
THE anTlERlESS DEER SEaSOn
During antlerless season, concurrent hunting for small game
and bear (where the season is open) is legal; however, no
hunter except those legally hunting antlerless deer or bear
shall be aield with a irearm with solid ball ammunition or shot
shells containing larger than No. 4 shot, except for waterfowl
hunters using nontoxic shot.
Concurrent archery hunting or antlered and antlerless deer islegal during the antlerless season subject to all archery deer
hunting regulations. All persons hunting during deer irearms
seasons (except those engaged in arming activities on their
own land and waterfowl hunters) must wear at least 400 square
inches o blaze orange as an outer garment.
Concurrent waterowl hunting is legal (see separate Migratory
Bird Hunting Regulations publication).
HaMPSHIRE COunTy
anTlERlESS DEER SEaSOn
Special two-day season October 29-30, 2010
There will be a special two-day Class N or NN antlerless deer
season in Hampshire County on October 29-30, 2010, for
resident and nonresident hunters. Hunters must purchase
a Class N or NN antlerless stamp or hold a Class DT license
to participate in this special antlerless season. Resident
landowners, their resident children, and resident tenants who
permanently live on the property, are not required to purchase
a Class N stamp if hunting on their own property. The bag limit
or this special season is one antlerless deer.
The purpose o this special antlerless deer season is to continue
surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD see page 31)
and to determine its prevalence and distribution within the
county. Selected deer checking stations in the county will bestaffed by DNR Wildlife Resources personnel and biological
data along with tissue samples will be collected and sent to a
certiied laboratory or CWD testing. Hunters will be able to
check the DNR Web site, www.wvdnr.gov, for test results of
those deer rom which samples were collected.
There are ive counties or parts thereo where a hunter may
take two antlerless deer and 27 counties or parts thereof wherea hunter may take our antlerless deer during the antlerless
season by purchasing multiple Class N or NN stamps (see pages
12 and 18). Hunters may take up to two or four antlerless (Class
N or NN) deer in each county or part thereof not to exceed the
bag limit speciied in each county or part thereo and not to
exceed the maximum statewide bag limit o 4 antlerless (Class
N or NN) deer. See pages 15-16 for antlerless regulations on
Wildlie Management Areas and other public lands.
Unlimited Resident and
Nonresident: bag limit o two
Unlimited Resident andNonresident: bag limit o our
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J U L Y 2 0 10 J U N E 2 0 1 1 R E G U L A T I O N S S U M M A R Y
Archery Season DEER
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Opening Date: October 16 Closing Date: December 31
Three deer may be taken with a bow during this archery
season. One deer must be taken on one o the ollowing valid
base licenses or license combinations: resident (Class X, ClassXJ, Class AB-L, Class A-L, Classes A+CS+BG); or a free license:
Military, Disabled Veteran, former POW, Senior Citizen or Class
DT; or nonresident (Classes XXJ+CS/LE , Classes E+CS/LE+UU
or Class DT). Underage residents and resident landowners
hunting on their own land (see page 9) may take an archery
deer without a license. Up to two additional deer may be taken
with Class RB or Class RRB stamps (one per stamp) or on a Class
DT license or by resident landowners hunting on their own
property. If two deer are taken on Class RB or RRB stamps, or
on a Class DT license or by a resident landowner using those
privileges one o the two must be an antlerless deer taken in
a county open to Class N antlerless hunting. Class DT license
holders must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or, with
written consent of the parent or guardian, any other competentlicensed adult 21 years o age or older.
A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer per
calendar year in all archery and irearms seasons combined.
Deer o either sex may be hunted statewide with a bow
during this archery season. A bow, but not a crossbow,
may be substituted or a irearm during any deer irearms
season except muzzleloader season.
It is illegal to:
be afield with both gun and bow, or with a gun and any
arrows, except that persons who have a concealed weapon
permit may carry a concealed handgun or sel-deense only.
hunt with a crossbow and/or have a crossbow aield except
or the holders o Class Y or YY permits during designated
archery seasons. Crossbows must have:
a draw weight of at least 125 pounds.
a working saety.
bolts at least 18 inches long.
broadheads with at least two cutting edges at least
-inch in width.
hunt deer with arrows having less than two sharp cutting
edges, measuring less than -inch in width.
use a bow-locking device, except with a modified bow
permit issued by the Director.
use an arrow with an explosive, drug-laced or poisoned
head or shat.
use an electronic call to hunt deer.
aDDITIOnal DEER
aRCHERy STaMPSClass RB and Class RRB
A resident may purchase only two Class RB stamps and a
nonresident may purchase only two Class RRB stamps or this
archery season. The Class RB or Class RRB archery stamps must
be purchased before October 16, 2010, prior to the opening of
this archery season.
Only one deer may be taken with each Class RB or RRB stamp.
Deer taken on a base license or license stamp combination or
Class RB or RRB stamps may be checked in any order. A hunter
may not hunt an additional deer until all previously taken deer
have been checked.
Class RB or RRB stamps cannot be used or taking deer with
a irearm.
Two additional deer may be taken with Class RB or Class
RRB stamps, by holders of Class DT licenses or by a resident
landowner hunting on their own land during this archery
season. If two deer are taken on Class RB or Class RRB stamps,
or on a Class DT license, or by a landowner using Class RB stamp
privileges, one of the two must be an antlerless deer taken in a
county open to Class N antlerless hunting.
The annual limit for the four-county area of Logan, McDowell,
Mingo and Wyoming counties is two archery deer, one of which
must be antlerless. One Class RB or RRB stamp is valid in thesecounties, except if the first archery deer was taken in a county
open to firearms deer hunting, then two deer (one must be
antlerless) may be taken on Class RB or RRB stamps or a Class DT
license in these counties. The taking o archery antlerless deer
during the buck season is legal in these counties.
To take additional archery deer, all residents except holders of
Class DT licenses and resident landowners (see page 9) hunting
on their own land are required to purchase Class RB stamps. All
nonresidents except holders o Class DT licenses are required to
purchase Class RRB archery stamps to take additional archery
deer (see license requirements on page 10).
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22 W E S T V I R G I N I A H U N T I N G A N D T R A P P I N G
HaMPSHIRE COunTy CwD
COnTaInMEnT aREa
See page 11 or special regulations regarding deer carcass
transport and baiting and eeding o wildlie within
Hampshire County.
DEER Archery Season
COnCuRREnT HunTIng DuRIng
DEER aRCHERy SEaSOn
A bow hunter may take small game at any time the small game
season is open, except the first three days of buck season in
counties having a buck season.
Archery hunting or antlered and antlerless deer is legal during
muzzleloader deer season subject to all archery deer hunting
regulations. Additionally, archery hunters must wear a blaze
orange outer garment o at least 400 square inches during anydeer irearms seasons.
SPECIal SEaSOnS
anD RESTRICTIOnS
Urban Deer Archery Season
A special archery deer hunting season is available between
October 2 December 31, 2010, to incorporated cities, towns,
villages and incorporated homeowner associations (see
exception below for the Cit y of Charleston). To implement
the hunt, homeowner associations must submit a writtenrequest to the Director by March 1 o the hunt year. During
this special season two deer may be taken which shall not
apply to the hunters regular archery season bag limit. For
inormation regarding this special archery deer hunt contact
your local municipal government, homeowner association or
the appropriate DNR office. The City of Charleston will have a
special archery deer season September 18 December 31, 2010,
with a season bag limit of seven deer; provided the first deer
taken must be antlerless and no more than two antlered deer
may be taken. The daily bag limit is two deer.
Older-aged Deer Management Areas
All antlered deer taken during archery season on Beech ForkLake, Bluestone Lake, Burnsville Lake, and McClintic WMAs
and Coopers Rock and Calvin Price State Forests must have a
minimum outside antler spread of 14 inches (ear tip to ear tip).
The annual bag limit or antlered deer on these areas is one
for all seasons combined. It is illegal to bait or feed wildlife on
these areas (see page 11).
Designated annually by the West Virginia Divisionof Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section, inconjunction with the West Virginia Council of Churches, ShareYour Harvest Sunday helps support and keep the HuntersHelping the Hungry (HHH) Program alive and growing.
HHH is a charitable program that provides high quality meator meals to needy West Virginians. Hunter donated deer areprocessed into ground venison and distributed to charitableagencies who help eed West Virginias less ortunate.
Hunters are asked to encourage their churches to participateby asking each member of the congregation to donate $1,$5 or whatever you can afford, during a special Sundaycollection or the HHH Program. The donations are collectedby the DNR to help Mountaineer Food Bank of Gassaway,WV, pay for meat processing and distribution costsassociated with the HHH Program.
Since its inception in 1992, HHH hasprovided venison or more than 975,000meals to needy West Virginians.
Congregations unable toparticipate on November 7, maychoose a more convenient time.
Mail donations to:
Hunters Helping the Hungry
WVDNR Wildlife Resources
324 4th Avenue
South Charleston, WV 25303
For more information contactBillie Shearer at 304.558.2771 or
billie.j.shearer@wv.gov
or visit
www.wvdnr.gov
November 7, 2010
The GreaterKanawha Valley
Foundation
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Special Antlerless Archery Season DEER
One antlerless deer may be taken with a bow on private land
only in designated counties (see page 17) during this Special
Antlerless Deer Archery Season on one o the ollowingvalid licenses or license/stamp combinations: resident (Class
X+RB, Class XJ+RB, Class AB-L+RB, Class A-L+RB, Classes
A+CS+BG+RB); or a free license (Military+RB, Disabled
Veteran+RB, former POW+RB, Senior Citizen+RB, or Class
DT); or nonresident (Classes XXJ+CS/LE+RRB , Classes E+CS/
LE+UU+RRB or Class DT). Underage residents must possess an
RB stamp. Resident landowners hunting on their own land (see
page 9) may take an archery deer without a license or RB stamp.
Class DT license holders must be accompanied by a parent,
guardian or, with written consent of the parent or guardian, any
other competent licensed adult 21 years o age or older.
All deer taken in this season must be checked on Class RB or
RRB stamps or a Class DT license or by a resident landownerhunting on their own land.
During a calendar year a resident may purchase only three Class
RB stamps and a nonresident may purchase three Class RRB
stamps. Only one RB or RRB stamp may be used in the Special
Antlerless Deer Archery Season. Only two RB or RRB stamps
may be used in the traditional archery season October 16 -
December 31, 2010.
The Class RB or Class RRB archery stamps may be purchased at
any time prior to the October 16, 2010, opening of traditional
archery season.
Only one deer may be taken with each Class RB or RRB stamp.
To take a deer in this Special Antlerless Deer Archery Season,all residents except holders o Class DT licenses and resident
landowners (see page 9) hunting on their own land are required
to purchase Class RB stamps. All nonresidents except holders
o Class DT licenses are required to purchase Class RRB archery
stamps (see license requirements on page 10).
COnCuRREnT HunTIng DuRIng
THIS SPECIal anTlERlESS DEER
aRCHERy SEaSOn
Concurrent migratory bird hunting is legal (see separate
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations).
Season Limit: 1 Opening Date: September 13 Closing Date: September 18
SPECIal SEaSOnS
anD RESTRICTIOnS
It is illegal to:
be afield with both gun and bow, or with a gun and any
arrows, except that persons who have a concealed weapon
permit may carry a concealed handgun or sel-deense only.
hunt with a crossbow and/or have a crossbow aield except
or the holders o Class Y or YY permits during designated
archery seasons. Crossbows must have:
a draw weight of at least 125 pounds.
a working saety.
bolts at least 18 inches long.
broadheads with at least two cutting edges at least
-inch in width.
hunt deer with arrows having less than two sharp cutting
edges, measuring less than -inch in width.
use a bow-locking device, except with a modified bow
permit issued by the Director.
use an arrow with an explosive, drug-laced or poisoned
head or shat.
to use an electronic call to hunt deer.
Urban Deer Archery Season
The City o Charleston will have a special archery deer season
September 18 December 31, 2010, with a season bag limit of
seven deer; provided the first deer taken must be antlerless and
no more than two antlered deer may be taken. The daily baglimit is two deer. Deer taken during this special urban archery
season shall not apply to the hunters regular archery season
bag limit.
HaMPSHIRE COunTy CwD
COnTaInMEnT aREa
See page 11 or special regulations regarding deer carcass
transport and baiting and eeding o wildlie within
Hampshire County.
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DEER Buck Season
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Opening Date: November 22 Closing Date: December 4
Only deer having one or both antlers more than 3 inches in
length above the hairline are legal during the buck season (see
concurrent hunting or antlerless deer during buck season onpage 25).
Two deer may be taken with a gun or bow during the buck
season. One must be taken on one o the ollowing valid base
licenses or license combinations: resident (Class X, Class XJ,
Class AB-L, Class A-L, or Classes A+CS); or free license (Military,
Disabled Veteran, former POW, Class DT or Senior Citizen);
or nonresident (Classes XXJ+CS/LE, Classes E+CS/LE or Class
DT). Underage residents and resident landowners hunting on
their own land (see page 9) may take an antlered deer without
a license. An additional deer may only be taken with a Class
RG stamp, Class RRG stamp, Class DT license or by resident
landowners hunting on their own property. Class DT license
holders must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or, withwritten consent of the parent or guardian, any other competent
licensed adult 21 years o age or older.
A hunter may take no more than three antlered deer per
calendar year in all archery and irearms seasons combined.
Legal irearms or hunting deer during thebuck season shall include:
a rile using centerire ammunition.
a rifle using .25 caliber or larger rimfire ammunition.
a muzzleloading rifle, with or without scope, and
muzzleloading pistol o .38 caliber or larger.
a handgun using a straight-walled case of .357 magnum
cartridge or larger or a bottle-necked case o .24 caliber or
larger (see page 5). A Class A-1 handgun stamp is required.
a shotgun loaded with solid ball ammunition.
aDDITIOnal buCK SEaSOn
gun STaMPSClass RG and Class RRG
During a calendar year a resident may purchase only one Class RG
stamp and a nonresident may purchase only one Class RRG stamp.
Only one deer may be taken with a Class RG or Class RRG stamp.
The Class RG and Class RRG stamps must be purchased beore
November 22, 2010, prior to the opening of buck season. The
Class RG and Class RRG stamps are valid or buck hunting in all
counties open to buck season.
To take an additional deer, all residents, except resident
landowners (see page 9) hunting on their own land or holders
of a Class DT license, are required to purchase a Class RG gunstamp. All nonresidents are required to purchase a Class RRG
gun stamp or possess a Class DT license i they choose to take
an additional deer (see license requirements on page 10).
Deer taken on a base license or license stamp combination or
Class RG or RRG stamps may be checked in any order. A hunter
may not hunt an additional deer until all previously taken deer
have been checked.
Only one deer may be taken per day.
buCK COunTIES
All counties except Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming
are open.
Open: Buck Firearms SeasonNovember 22 December 4, 2010
(See pages 15-16 for special public land regulations)
Closed: to all irearms deer hunting
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J U L Y 2 0 10 J U N E 2 0 1 1 R E G U L A T I O N S S U M M A R Y 2
HaMPSHIRE COunTy CwD
COnTaInMEnT aREa
See page 11 or special regulations regarding deer carcass
transport and baiting and eeding o wildlie within
Hampshire County.
COnCuRREnT HunTIng DuRIng
buCK DEER SEaSOn
Antlerless deer hunting is legal on private land in 46 counties
or portions thereof November 22-23, 2010. These same 46
counties or portions thereo and all public lands having an
antlerless season are open or concurrent antlerless hunting
November 24 December 4, 2010. To hunt antlerless deer
during the buck season, a valid Class N or NN stamp or Class
DT license is required or all hunters except or resident
landowners (see page 9) hunting on their own land. Hunters
may take only one deer per day; therefore, a buck and an
antlerless deer may not be taken on the same day.
Small game hunting is prohibited during the irst three days
of buck season in all counties having a buck season; provided,
waterfowl hunting is legal on lakes, rivers and waterways
during the open waterfowl season, bear hunting is legal in
specified counties, and coyote hunting is legal. Small game
hunting is legal during open small game seasons beginningNovember 25, 2010. While hunting small game during the buck
season, No. 4 shot or smaller and slugs may be carried with a
shotgun only i the hunter is legally hunting deer or bear.
A combination rifle-shotgun (over-under, etc.) is legal for deer
hunting and concurrent small game hunting.
After killing the legal limit of deer, a hunter shall not be afield
with any irearm with solid ball ammunition (unless legally
hunting bear) or shot shells containing larger than No. 4 shot.
Waterfowl hunters may use nontoxic shot larger than No. 4.
It is illegal to hunt small game during the buck season with
any centerfire, with any rimfire larger than .22 caliber, or with a
shotgun using solid ball ammunition or shot larger than No. 4in a county that is not open to buck season.
Archery hunting or antlered and antlerless deer is legal during
buck season subject to all archery deer hunting regulations. A
bow may be substituted for a firearm to take antlered deer, or if
hunting on a Class N or NN stamp or Class DT license, antlerless
deer may be taken during the buck season on private land in
speciied counties and on speciied public lands (see pages
15-16 and 18).
All persons hunting during a deer firearms season, except those
engaged in arming activities on their own land and waterowl
hunters, must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange
as an outer garment.
Buck Season DEER
SPECIal SEaSOnS
anD RESTRICTIOnS
Wilson Cove Deer Study Area and HillcrestWildlie Management Area
Wilson Cove Deer Study Area located in Hardy County on the
George Washington National Forest and Hillcrest WMA, located
in Hancock County will have a deer muzzleloader season
November 22 - December 4, 2010. During this period, only
single shot muzzleloaders, including in-lines of .38 caliber
or larger, are legal for deer hunting on these areas. These two
areas will not be open to the traditional buck irearms season.
All muzzleloader license requirements apply (see pages 9-10,
16 and 26). The annual antlered deer bag limit is one deer for
archery and muzzleloader seasons combined.
Older-aged DeerWildlie Management Areas
All antlered deer taken on Beech Fork Lake, Bluestone Lake,
Burnsville Lake and McClintic WMAs, and Coopers Rock and
Calvin Price State Forests must have a minimum outside antlerspread of 14 inches (ear tip to ear tip). The annual antlered
deer bag limit is one deer or all archery and irearms seasons
combined. It is illegal to bait or feed wildlife on these areas (see
page 11).
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DEER Muzzleloader Season
Daily Bag Limit: 1 Opening Date: December 13 Closing Date: December 18
Two deer may be taken with a muzzleloader during this
muzzleloader season. One must be taken on one o the
ollowing valid base licenses or license combinations: resident(Class X, XJ, AB-L, A-L, Classes A+CS+BG); or a free license
(Military, Disabled Veteran, former POW, Class DT or Senior
Citizen); or nonresident (Classes E+CS/LE+VV, Classes XXJ+CS/
LE or Class DT license). Underage residents and resident
landowners hunting on their own land (see page 9) may
take a muzzleloader deer without a license. An additional
muzzleloader deer may only be taken with a Class RM or
RRM stamp, a Class DT license or by a resident landowner
hunting on his/her own land. Class DT license holders must be
accompanied by a parent, guardian or, with written consent of
the parent or guardian, any other competent licensed adult 21
years o age or older.
Muzzleloader hunting or antlered deer is legal in all countiesopen to buck season. A deer o either sex may be taken with
muzzleloaders in all counties or parts thereo open to the Class
N season. One additional deer may be taken on a Class RM
or RRM stamp or a Class DT license in all counties having this
muzzleloader season (see pages 15-16 and 27).
In the muzzleloader season, only single shot muzzleloaders,
including in-lines o .38 caliber or larger are legal. Telescopic
sights are legal. A irearm that has been convert